EM fields and magnetic induction from an experiment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the creation and retention of magnetic fields using copper wire wrapped around a bolt, specifically in the context of an experiment involving electromagnetic induction and the use of capacitors. Participants explore the conditions necessary for generating a magnetic field and the implications of their experimental observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that a magnetic field can only be created if there is current running through the wire coil.
  • Others mention that to achieve a permanent magnet, the bolt must be made of a specific material, with uncertainty about the magnetizability of regular steel.
  • One participant describes an experiment where they coiled copper wire around a bolt and connected it to a galvanometer, observing some electrical generation when using speaker magnets.
  • There is a question raised about the ability to store the generated electricity, leading to experimentation with a capacitor, although results were inconclusive.
  • A participant expresses confusion about why one setup seemed to hold a magnetic field while another did not, despite the capacitor being removed in the latter case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that current is necessary to create a magnetic field, but there is no consensus on the effectiveness of different materials for permanent magnetization or the results of the described experiments.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the implications of their experimental results, particularly regarding the role of the capacitor and the conditions under which the magnetic field was retained.

Quarinteen
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If you take copper wire and wrap it tightly around a bolt will that alone create and hold a magnetic field?

I add an image for clarification
 

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As long as you have current running through the coil, yes. To get a permanent magnet the bolt would have to be made of a specific material. I'm not sure regular steel is easily magnetized permanently.
 
Quarinteen said:
Summary:: Hello I was working on a project and got side tracked with EM fields. I opened this thread in hopes to add to it and keep it sort of like a running log. I want to start at ground 0 like a kid and expand on that base. With that let me just start with my first question.
No, the PF does not work like that. It is not for logs/blogs -- it is for answering specific questions, generally one question per thread. Please confine this thread here to your specific question about currents in wire loops and magnetizing bolts. Thank you. :smile:
 
Quarinteen said:
If you take copper wire and wrap it tightly around a bolt will that alone create and hold a magnetic field?
No. It would take either a current in the wire as @Drakkith says, or a permanent magnet nearby. The Google search term would be Magnetic Induction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field#The_B-field
 
berkeman said:
No, the PF does not work like that. It is not for logs/blogs -- it is for answering specific questions, generally one question per thread. Please confine this thread here to your specific question about currents in wire loops and magnetizing bolts. Thank you. :smile:
Sorry let me clarify. I did not mean like a blog. It will be a running question about this topic. I will just add future questions about the same topic to this instead of opening a bunch of threads. If that is acceptable.
 
Quarinteen said:
Sorry let me clarify. I did not mean like a blog. It will be a running question about this topic. I will just add future questions about the same topic to this instead of opening a bunch of threads. If that is acceptable.
We can give it a try to see what happens. Please read through the link that I posted above and let us know if you have specific questions. Thank you.
 
Drakkith said:
As long as you have current running through the coil, yes. To get a permanent magnet the bolt would have to be made of a specific material. I'm not sure regular steel is easily magnetized permanently.
That’s what I thought, but it seems I have an exception.

we took a 5 inch bolt with a .25 radius. We coiled copper wire around the threads. When I hit the end I wrapped it in electrical tape to separate it to go over it again. Then wrapped it in electrical tape again. I added enough tape for the end to fit in a speaker magnet that has a 2.25 inch radius with a hole in the center orb a 3/4 inch diameter.

I stuck the bolt in and connected the end of the copper to a galvanometer then took a couple of speaker magnets and ran them from the base up to show the kids how it will generate a little electricity. The question came up if we could store it. I am sure there is but I have no clue. So we started messing around and took a small capacitor and soldiered it to a couple of wires then attached it to the ends of the copper on the screw. We tried to measure it and nothing came back but there was a reaction to it from what were using to measure magnetic fields.

I didn’t think it was right so I made another screw wrapped in wire and left the capacitor off. We checked it’s field and there was none as expected. So now I’m wondering why the other one held its field. Surley the capacitor did nothing.
 
470A9526-6C52-42F7-89E5-FAE0CD453134.jpeg

for clarification
 

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